Permutation lock



J. LETOURNEIAU PERMUTATION LOCK March 16 1926, 1,577,327

Filed Feb. 26, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet`1 l l l l l l l l l Inventor Jafe leda/'zama I Attorney March 16 1926. l 1,577,327

/ J. LETOURNEAU PERMUTATION Loox Filed Feb. 26,y 1925 s snets-sheet 2 if f i/7 l 6 1,7574? Si. winnt Attorney March 16,1926. 1,577,327

' J. LETOURNEAU l PERMUTATION LOCK Filed Feb. 26, 1925 5 sheets-sheet :5

nmalllll'l l 55 1 Inventor Y 6 asev ezvwfzeaa la j? I ttofney rre: ym

siasi? Jcsrirn: crier. carrmitgluns, curante, canaria.

rnnuturnrrou Locri.

. Appl-saf'oniied, February 2,6,"1925.. Serial-No. 11,855.

To all io/lom it may concern.' A.

:Be it known that l, `Josnrrr LnToUnrmAU,

av subject oi lthe King ot Great Britain,9 residing at St. Catharines7 Province ot 0u-- tario, Canada,y have invented certain new and useful luiproven'ientsin lerniutation Locks; and l do hereby declare that the following` isa full, clear, and enact description of the invention, such las willenable others skilled inthe artto` which it appertainsto inake and luse the saine. y l 'The present invent-ion pertains to a novel permuta-tion lock adapted to;v application to automobilesteering wheels7 sate .doors and other purposes requiring. a flock.

The device 'comprises a casingiin .which are mounted lock bolts andslidebolts. rlhe former are designed vtopenetrate the casing and project into thefexterior surrounding eleinent. The slidcbolts; although not passing` to the exterior oi; the casing,` oppose movement of the lock mechanisin except when it st toftlic proper combination.

, The setting` means includes for each lock unit a rotatable disk normally'obstructing a slide bolt but having a notch which may receive the bolt. The notch `can be placed in the `path of the slide bolt v,only if the conibinationis known. Through the disk is passed a spindle;carrying` a'ratchet wheel, thevlatter having` a plurality off apertures anylone'of which may receive aset pin projectingr'rointhddiskrlhe relative posif tion the ratchet with respeetto .the .disk depends on the particular aperture receiving, the set pin. This relation detcljniinesthe combination, and the latter may loe altered byA changing the relation. The spindlecarryingthe'ratchet wheel has 'a pointer cooperating with'adial plate closing' thecas`I ing', thereby providing` un indicator show' ing the extent that the ratchetis turned.

vThe bolts carry pins which lnormally engage cani edges cut in a superposed control ring. Then the ring is shifted7 the bolts .are acttuited and are moved inwardly oi. the.

casing during the proper shitting ot the control ring when the disks are setto present the notches to the slide bolts.

For each unit of the lock a rocker is pivoted tothe casingh and normally engages y a cani formed with the corresponding. disk. The rocker'is formed with a guard. norinally disposedovcr the ratchet to prevent shift# ing ot the latter with reference to the disk.

l/ihen thedisks are; set in a given position and the control ring shi'ted,.the` relation betweeneach;,cani and its rocker is'- such as to nuove the guard away frein the ratchet and thus permit the latter to be raised with reference to its disk whereby the* relation between the ratchetand disk may be changed by causignt, a ,different aperture to receive theset pinf Y The control ring has pivotednthereto-a pawl arm,V .for each ratchetxand 'normally locking the latter by virtue onta spring acting en thelarin. The spindles, however, are surrounded by coil ,springs adaptedtobring Y them to zero position `livhen the.` iatchets are notjengaged by. their :respective pawls 'A finger gprojectsA upwardly from each' pawl arin, and upon the control ring,` is rotatably niountedazeroizingfring having cain edges engaging the fingers. 4By actuationfof thek control ring, the fingers are nioved tobring the pawls awayfroin the ratchet whereupon the springs surrounding the. spindles are free to return the ratchets and-disks to -zero position. -"'l`he invention is fully; disclosedin the 'following description` and: in .the accompanyingidrawingsfinwhich: Y i. I Figure l :is a plan view .ofthe device; Eigiiije 2 is aIdiainetrical section ofian auton'iobile 'steering wheel showing in elevatioiif'the lock applied thereto; l Figure 3-is a plan. view corresponding-to Figure 2;" Y Figure Alfie va' fragmentary elevation ot a .door showing the lock 'of theV invention applied thereto; A, N

Figure 5'is` fragmentary section of a niodih'cation; 7 Y" Y. f iilinure -6 is av fragmentary section oit the ,showin he lock bolts.projected5 'isa sii far sectionshowingthe 's in interinediaaq or neutral position; gurcgli'is a sectional view. takendirt-ictN ly beneath thecovcr and showing the-Zerm- Figure 9 isa detail corresponding to 'FigAv .rre S Aand K n is a perspectiveview of' the pawl arm;

Figure 'll is a tragnnentaryv transverse* section ythrough the wall ot' the lock casingund showing the manner ot assembly;

Figure l2 is a detail edge view oit the zeroizing plate, showing in elevation the stem thereof;

Figure 13 is a sectional view taken on the saine plane as Figures 6 and 7 and show ing the lock bolts withdrawn;

Figure 14 is a similar section in the saine plane and showing the parts in the position permitting the change of combination;

Figure 15 is a` plan .view of the control ring;

Figure 16 is a section corresponding to Figure 14, and taken at a lower level;

Figure 17 is a perspective view of guide lip arm;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of rocker; and,

Figure 19 is an extended section on line 19-13 of Figure 1 4.

Reference to these views will now be made by means of like characters which are employed to designate corresponding parte throughout.

The lock is for the niost part contained in a circular casing consisting of a base 1 having a circular wall 2 near the edge thereof. This formation leaves a rim 3 out side thewall 2, as shown in Figure 1. The wall is surrounded by an element 4 adapts ed for penetration by the locking bolts of 39 the device. An inner ring 5 (Figure 16) the the

the

is formed integral with the base and spaced inwardly of the wall 2 to leave an annular channel 6.

Vditli'in the .casing is contained a. numbei` 3" of lockine units. Since these are identical in formation and operation, description of the parts and operation of one "of yt-i'iem will suilice. Each unit comprises 'a `spindle 7 (Figure 7) rotatably yinserted in the baise 40 and standing upright with referente the-re'- to. The lower 'end ofthe spindle Carries a loose disk 3 having a keeper slot "or irotch 3 in its edge. 'On the lower face of the disk is formed 'cani 10 (Figure 16), 'and the npper face is formed with an integral span;

nig washer 11 having its periphery in line 3v/ith the seat of the notch 3. On the upper 'race of the disk. stands also a set pin 12.

i zine spindle carries also a 1atchet wheel 13 s0 nxed the-reto near the upper end thereof and having a series of peripheral apertures 14 any one of which is adapted to receive the pin 12. Adjacent the spindle a rocker m 15 (Figure 18) is pivoted to the base. One

@d arm or' the rocker is in engagement with the cani 10 and the other arm is provided with a'right angular guard 16 which normally lies over the ratchet 13 and prevents it and the spindle 7 from slipping upwardly.

The inner ring 5 is formed with a number slots 17 with which the notches 9 in the disks 3 are adapted to aline. Slide bolts 18 are adapted to move in these slots and Sq through similar slots 2O cut in the wall 2.

intermediate the slots 17 are cut slots 21 in the ring 5. These contain the locking bolts 22 which pass through alined slots 23 in the wall 2 and into similar recesses 24 in the outer element 4. The bolts 13 and 22 carry at their forward ends pins 13 and 70 22 respectively. 'l

A control ring` 2'v (Figure 15) rests on the top of the ring 5 extending to the wall 2 and covering the annular channel 6. rlhis ring is provided with a stem 26 by means 75 of which it may be shifted circuinicrentiah ly. For each unit of the lock, the inner edge of the ring has a peculiar formation including a lug 27. Substantially midway between the two lugs is a stop 28. The pins 80 13 on the sliding or intermediate bolts 13 are received iii the spaces between the incre bers 27 and 23,l following the' ring in acoun; ter 'clockwise direction, and the pins 22 or the locking bolts 22 lie in the spaces between E35 the members 28 and 27. lEach space for an intermediate bolt p'iii includes a release seat 23 at the inner end of the lug 27, a simila f intermediate seat 30 nearby, anda cani edge 31 between the seat 30 and a' lock seat 9") o., @9 at the foot of the stop 23. The spaces ici" receiving the lock bolt pins eaclininclude a release seat 33 'at the other side of the stop, a receding cani edge 34 terminating in a lock seat 35 at the foot of the lug 27.

For each unit of the lock there are a pair 0f apertures 36 and 37 cnt through the ring, .the former being ferinedjinhthe stop 23 and the latter beneath the cani fate 34. fit the slot 36 the guide arm 33 is pivoted to the ico if` g by means 'of the screw .dit Eli@ aperture l137 fpaivi afin is piveted by a screw 33. The guide arm entends along the cam edge 31, and the pan/il arin intendi-f into the space betiv'eei'l two of the ratchets. 105 It is formed at its forward end with apawl 40I iioin'ially engaging tl .corres acudan' ra'tcli'et. Near the iifaf cnd'll Ji' is it ,1inn 41, the purpose of which is described below. VThe guide arm 33 has a dejicndiiig 110 lip 42 which overlaps the cani edge f i lip is slightly slieiteii than the arm, leaving recess' 43 adjacent the inner entremity oi' the arm. Around each screw 33 is wound a spring 44 having one end in engagement 115 with the lower portion of the iinger 41 and the other end bearing against the guide arm 33 at the lrecess 43. This arrangement noi'- inally holds the lip 42 firmly against the cam edge 31 and the pawl 40 in engagement 12@ with the ratchet 13.

At the center of the bottom 1 stands a boss 45 through which is passed a supporting bolt. 46. rihe boss is surrounded by an anchor plate 47 to which are securedL the 125 ends of coil springs 4 3 wound around the spindles 7 the remaining ends being secured to the spindles, as shown in Figure 19. Over the ring is laid a Zeroizing` ring 43 llYUlg a notch 50 and cani edge 51 for nach i511) nu. nu

ring. also has a steinv 52 hy fineans of which. it

is shifted. The rinp; isr'fornied with. a.: slot tliuough, which the. stenr E26. passes. und

which also allows shitting` of .the zerozing rino` Withreterenee to the Control rin-g5; i Y ml 't l b l'4 ll "":4 .sleeper s aie eoverec y. e. cui p ete ol through which the steine 7; pass. Screws-5ft (Figure 11) ere passed through theI plete .Gl-ringl's A1191r end i, tend. tinally into-the exterior end of each stein has secured-there vto e pointer nndknob 56.31011 the dial plete i series ot Vnumerals surroundsezieh knob, running- 1j ,troni 1..to 9 and hei/'inge stop 5? interposed betweenfthe 9 and the 1. lhe plete. lalso hes u pair ot slots 58l andv 59 for receivingithe sten'is Q6 end v5 :und for permitting shitting oit the Corresponding rings. w f i i' u AThe niovenientsio't the loelt are es follows: The bolt-s 18 und l2{ufrenorin-ully urged outv-.nrdly'by bent ysprings GO ,huif'ing their ends received in twobolts 18 and "22 and their midpoint lheld by efipin61 in the -chennel 6, lt is tobe notedthnt one leg. .ofthe roolrer is disposed bet-Ween uslide boltelEl-iand n spindle .7. Assuming thattheholts are pro j eted, nos in Figure 6,' the pins: 1.8 are disposed in the loekseat-sf behind the'` reeesses` sa and the look vbolt pins 225 erefin the lock 'seats .,.llheroelrer -15 isvengoged hy the higher portioirotgthe Cain 10, as shown in dotted lines,iwhereby.thefguerd'16 is held over the retehet r1,3 and prevents it from risingu with reference toothe idisl8.

The Control rino; inarfnowqbe shifted lo.7

behind the lip ,-lzhe pin f2.2 vn.fill be Aen` isgod-by the czuii,..eclgl-z; 3 4.. 1i the` ningfl isshifted only .sullieiently to bring thel pins 1S intov the 4intermediate.seats .30.5 ,es in Figure 7, the lool: is nowin vneutrulposition. This .ineens :that the ring; .een beh-further shifted inthe saine direction toelleel` eonif pleteopening or in the oppositedirection to return it lo the position shownin l? ure .G in .coso the operator;deeidesinotito open the lock. The positioirot,parts,- zitter the continued und. oon'ipleted movement Ot the rino' in the seine direetionis illustrated in Figure 19. Here the pins 18` are received in the release seats 29,y and the pins 22 ere on the relenseseats `In orderto vproject the bolts ugeinthe eoinbinetionis set. The ronihinetion which vWill permit ol'iening;V of the look, or retraction ot', the bolts, `is determined by the relation between each rstehet i181 und its diskvS, i; e., the particular"aperturellllin the-ratchetthetwe'eeiyes the set -pi-irfl?J onfitliedislr. The eoniblnsltiO-n being` known with reference to the uinliers on the 1dial. plete, `the knobs 56 ere turned to leringv zth'e pointersfti 1to1v register 'with the proper -nuinhers n/'herebyi the notch 9 ineaeh disk is brought in alineinent with its corresponding slot 17 in the ringe. Theeontrol -ringvis fshit'ted .in the-direction opposite to that already mentioned.. 1 During-this inoifeinent the' pins 18 ride onthe lips i-2 and the slide ,lioltsrll afrel'oreed into the notches 9, es s,

shown in Figure 1l. Girly` in this move-nient 'doV the slide bolts 18 ent-er the notohes19 in order to allow the pins 18 to shigl't 'under the notion et the lipsll-Q. Finally, the pins 8 drop from the lips'into the recesses 4:3 l.

vandzupon the sests 32v Wherebythe position i sliowuin Figure (iis restored.

'-lt-the ooi. ,nnntion 1s! to vbe ehunged, the Control ring' 25 is shifted nearly to the position which allows projection ot the bolts.

'.llhis is shown in Figure 14, wherein each pin lengages its corresponding lip 4t2 neer the inner edge 'there-ot.- n this" position, the rocker 15 is held in engagement with the lower 'edge ot the eem 10 by ineens of the bolt 18. `lhe guard 16 is tlnisbrought away Vtroni the' ratchet and` permits thev latter to bereised with rel'erenoeto its disk 8.r The relation.betweenI each rutehetnnd its disk mey now be changed. Tre sprii'igsee ere so inully-to hold the pointers m n'i-tlrthestops 5f?. y vThis may be Called the zero position.` li'during th'eoperetion of thewloelnfit 'isv desired'to oen/el the inovements already roede end' to 'return 'the parts to Zero,-this function may be'4 :ittninedby ineens fot thezeroizingringi49C` The latter is shi tted I inf e eloelrwise' direction, shown by the errowfin vli"i,eli,1.e 9; rThe lingers L11 'ot tho-paul ernisfl) nrei'iushed inwardly be- Uufusoot the niovenient 'of the Coin edges" alongF thein. Consequently the paiwl ernis nre sn'ungon theirpiyots sind rthe penis i191 lWithdriwn i troni the f ratchet 'wheels *whereby the spring-48 ure tree to return the latter to zero position.; if .In theconstruetion shon'irln Figures i2 and 3', theel-ement Il containing the Vlook is theliuib `ot an automobile ung; wheel 65. The loclc is lieyed tothe steering post 66, and thelntter cnn' be turned only nl the bolts are projected Iinto the hub 4;. As 'the look is in" release posit-ion', with the bolts etrueted, the steering; wheel Willrotate loosely around tlie'loekinnd not effect the steering'post.

`vFigure llillustrzites the invention `'supplied tothe Vdoor G'Tot a safe. Tee/outer element l has a plurality of gear teeth. yG8 engaging slidnble reeks 69 inserted in the door and ljus edv as norndepted' fto enter `the Well` 79.-"fll/vhen `the bolts ore retracted, the element f1" may be said ratchet, a spring Wound around said spindle, said spring having one end attached to the spindle and another end fixed with reference to the casing, said spring being adapted to rotate said spindle and ratchet, means for movingsaid pawl out ot engagement with the ratchet, a finger projecting :from said pawl, and a zeroizing ring' superposcd on said control ring` and being formed with a cam edge engaging' said li1ige1,whe1c by the pavsl is released from the ratchet by actuation ot said zerozing` ring.

ll. A lock unit comprising in a casing, a lock iolt slidable therethrough, a slide bolt slidable therein, a spindle rotatably supported in said casing, a ratchet carried by the spindle, means movable with said spindle for obstructingl said slide bolt, a cani carried by said means, a rocker pivoted to said means, a guard formed with said rocker and disposed over said ratchet to prevent the spindle -from shitting with reference to the said means, said slide bolt beingl adapted to press the rocker into engagement with the cam to niove the guard with reference to the ratchet, a control ring` for actuating said bolts, a pawl pivoted to said ring and normally engaging said ratchet, a spring wound around said spindle, said spring having one end attached to the spindle and another end fixed with reference to the casing, said spring being adapted to rotate said spindle and ratchet, and means for moving' said paivl out of' engagement With the ratchet.

12. A lock unit comprising in a casing, a lock bolt slidable therethrough, a slide bolt slidable therein, a spindle rotatably supported in eaid easing, a ratchet carried by the spindle, means movable with said spindle vfor obstructing said slide bolt, a cam carried by said means, a rocker pi'voted to said means, a guard 'formed with said rocker and disposed over said ratchet to prevent the spindle t om shitting' with reference to the said means, said slide bolt being,` adapted to press the rocker into engagement with the cam to move the guard with reference to the ratchet, a control ring for actuating said bolts, a pawl pivoted lto said ring' and normally engaging said ratchet, a spring,` Wound around said spindle, said spring having one end attached to thespindle and another end tired with reference to the casing, said spring being adapted to rotate with said spindle and ratchet, finger projecting from said pawl, and a zeroizing` ring superpo-sed on said control ring' and being formed With a Cain edge engaging sai-d iinger, whereby the pawl is released 'from the ratchet by actuation ot said Zeroizing ring.

En Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

Josera-r Laronnnnan. 

